13th
Feb
2005
I am a thorough nature lover and being in the midst of it really sparks
my life. My resolution for the new year is to travel extensively this
year and see places, be it normal sightseeing or trekking. I started
looking for groups organising treks. That’s when I heard from my friend
(Amit Kulkarni) about a group called “Bhramanti”.
Bhramanti organizes treks on non-commercial level. Amit sent me their
schedule for the month of february.
I planned to start with their first trek for february which was
scheduled for Kalsubai Peak on the 12th and 13th feb. My earlier
experience with a few easy treks made me more confident in to daring to
explore something more adventurous. Kalsubai is the highest peak in the
sahyadri range in Maharashtra. Bari which is border of Nasik and
Ahmednagar district is the base for Kalsubai Peak. I checked
with my friends on their availability
to join in and finally Poonam and myself froze on to going for the
trek. 
We
started our journey from CST station,
Mumbai at 11.00 pm on 12th feb’05. Our initial destination was Kasara.
From Kasara we had to reach Bari village which was the base via
Igatpuri. We took the kasara local at 11.20 pm from CST station. We
were 17 all together. There was a initial breaking the ice session
which did not take much time and everyone got pally soon.
Following are the names of the group members – Poonam , Hiral ,
Krishna, Lubhna, Gopal, Ashutosh, Sandeep, Rishi, Nitin , Neha,
Prafull, Pankaj, Santosh , Nikita, Pinal , Sandeep and myself(Jyoti) .
Nitin was leading our group and Gopal was the deputy. We reached Kasara
at around 2.30
am . We had to reach Iagtpuri from here. There was no source of
transportation until morning. We decided to walk up to Kasara highway
and get us a lift to Igatpuri. Everyone around was sleeping by now and
we the adventerours were on the move. We started walking towards the
kasara highway. It was pitch dark by now. We were blessed with a rich
blanket of stars. Thousands of stars scattered in the vast expanse of
the sky. All special in their own way. We started moving in the pitch
darkness on the winding roads with our torches as the only source of
light. After more than 5 minutes we didn’t even need the torch lights.
We reached Kasara highway in the next 20 mins. Some members in our
group tried their best in getting us a lift. It was difficult that
someone would offer lift to all 17 of us at a time. There were many
vehicles going on the either side. When there wasn’t any vehicle, the
place would get pitch dark and we couldn’t even see who’s standing next
to us. Just you and yourself with the nature. That’s when I experienced
total tranquility in the midst of so many people which is impossible to
find in city life. Though this experience is momentary, but to last.
The excitement was building now, but still we did not have any luck
with the lift. After almost an hour a truck driver got convinced into
offering us a lift to Igatpuri. We 17 of them somehow got into the
truck. Most of us in the cabin next to the driver and others in the
carriage behind. I opted a royal seat and sat on the engine. Well it
was better then getting squeezed. We reached Igatpuri highway and then
walked down to the bus depot. I always wanted to see Igatpuri , but we
reached before dawn ,so I couldn’t much get the feel of the place. We
reached Igatpuri ST depot and immediately got a bus to bari. village.
We reached Bari at 5.30 in the morning. Our bus light was the only
light in that area, as the bus left we were orphaned with even that.
The cold started taking its grip on us. We sat at a nearby bus stop
waiting for the dawn. We were to start the trek at 7.00 am .In this
break we refreshed ourself. A localite runs a small shop here and you
can get tea, coffee and some breakfast items. The localite lit fire for
us to keep us warm. Then came the awaited dawn. The village which was
engulfed in darkness set into a beautiful frame now. Everyone was
charged up now and set for the trek. We had another formal introduction
then and a session of do’s and dont’s. We started our trek from the
base village Bari. The village was one of its kind. It was small, but
neat and systematic. The houses were small but well maintained. There
were meadows all over ranging from shades of tender green to golden. We
passed through the narrow winding roads into the fields and reached the
starting point of our trek As we moved much higher the plantation
appeared excotic. The village huts stacked in on side of the frame. The
sun was already up now showering it tender light on everyone making
everything look so gentle.
We would be
confronted by three ladders on the
way was told by our leader. The place was risky and we asked asked to
observe discipline. More than the fear , there was excitement. I got a
second thought whether” Will I be able to make it?” But I already knew
the answer “ I will”. The trek is
of 3 hours oneway. After trekking
for more than 45 minutes we reached the first ladder. Now the climb was
getting steeper. With little care we reached the second ladder,
ofcourse enjoying the panorama and lots of lovely wild flowers on the
way. One shouldn’t miss the wild flowers as they are rare ones .The
second ladder covers a huge patch of rocks .By 10 am we were past the 2
nd ladder and moving up further. After sometime we reached a well, a
fresh water well, having water throughout the year. Its a shallow well
and the water was clear enough. I was skeptical to drink this water(
the same city people’s attitude). We were exhausted on our quota. I
eventually drank this water as beggars are not choosers. The water was
indeed fresh and refreshing. We filled in some water for our further
use(drinking only???). We headed
towards our ultimate destination now
which was almost 20 minutes from the well. Our ultimate destination was
above a straight huge rock. This was accessible by ladder. This was the
3 rd ladder. After reaching on our summit I gave a sigh of relief and
so must have everyone else. The rock top was flat and big enough to
atleast accomadate around 100 people at a time. There’s a beautiful
temple here . This temple is of Kalsubai a local deity. The temple is
small but really stands out against the blue skyline .The temple dates
back in history. The view from the summit was awesome. We could see
Bhandardhara lake. Hills like Alang , Malang & Kulang which are the
most difficult to trek. Mahuli peak on one side. It was a clear day and
we could see miles around. Through out there were hills and flat barren
flats spotted with water bodies. There was very meager sign of
habitation.
We had our lunch on here and took a long break here. We began our
descend at around 1 pm. The descend was proving tough for the new
comers but they were determined. Our leader –Nitin and deputy- Gopal
were of too much help to the new comers. Other members like Santosh and
Sib also contributed to the help. I made a wrong move while coming down
and was narrowly saved by Sib. Thanks Sib. Had me not caught hold of me
on time the consequence was evident. This won’t hamper my spirits
further. I am definitely looking forward for more such adventures. Its
the pleasure of achieving something that matters over all the pains. We
reached the base camp at 5 pm and freshned
up at a well. We had already missed a bus and the 6 pm bus was our last
option to move out of Bari. The 6 pm bus came but left without us as it
was full. By this time tension started mounting in some of our group
members if we would be stranded for the night. To my surprise everyone
was eager to be in their office the next day. Next day was valentines
day and possibly no one wanted to held for no obvious reasons….well
these are my guesses. After almost trying for an hour some group
members could convince a tempo guy in to leaving us till Kasara. We had
only had one and a half hours in hand and the journey f rom Bari to
kasar takes minimum 2 hours. Moreover there are ghats on the way. Our
train to Mumbai was scheduled at 8.40 pm. The tempo guy promised into
taking us to kasara by 8.30 pm. That’s when the real last moment
adventure began. We 17 of them somehow jammed into the small tempo. We
had a out of pocket experience traveling in this tempo. The tempo guy
rushed us cutting across other vehicles and crossing speed limits on
ghats and there we were at Kasara station at 8.30 pm. Thanks to the
Tempo guy, we weren’t aware when the next local was scheduled.
Evereyone was down on stamina by now , but thrilled by the tempo drive.
The members started departing at various stations depending on their
convenience with a deal to keep in touch.
Though, the after trek muscle pains remain for
a day or two, but the every moment of this trek is a good memory now
imbibed in to this mind for the rest of the life. After all what’s life
without an adventure?
Written By: Jyoti Raut
For more Photos visit our Yahoo group photo section:
http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/bhramanti
The
Highest Place in Western Ghats(sahyadri) & in Maharashtra.
Aprroach: From Mumbai around
165km to Bari via Igatpuri-Ghoti. 3 hrs. of easy climb. One has to take
care of the loose scree as you approach towards top. Their is a water
scarcity. So one has to carry plenty of water. On the way one has to
pass 3 big ladderes after the Machi Temple. Before the last ladder a
water well exist which generally contains the water till Feb since from
rain.
One
can see most of the high peaks in the surrounding in the clear
atmosphere.
Ajoba,
Ratangadh, Katrabai Wall, Naneghat, Jivdhan, Kirda Alang, Mandan,
Kulang, Aundha patta, Bittangadh etc. On the back side of Kalsubai one
can see a panoramic view of Bhandardhara( Wilson Dam).
Last Visit of Bhramanti to Kalsubai: 1st December 2002
